Wanting to Roar, Even Though Much of Lion-Girl is Simply a Mew

Westernized live-action takes on the sentai genre can be a mixed bag, and Lion-Girl needs to distinguish herself if she’s to be wild and be that avenger if she’s to succeed!

Lion-Girl Movie PosterCleopatra Entertainment
VOD/Home Release Date: Nov 7, 2023

Kurando Mitsutake is no stranger to budget cinema. He’s carved himself a niche that’s more or less has the look of films made in the past century. While a lot of marketing says Lion-Girl is inspired by Go Nagai’s manga styling, I’m seeing more than just one creator’s influence and they forgot to say it’s inspired by many a sentai series.

Also, what this filmmaker made isn’t 100% Japanese. This talent set up shop in Los Angeles and I found the setting of Neo Japan very tough to believe–especially when I recognise the Sierra Nevada in the background. The use of American actors isn’t too much of distraction when considering the information prefaced in the movie trailer. However, what’s presented feels more like a cowboy sentai style western than anything else.

Also, I wondered which heroine led manga from this artist was the primary influence. The protagonist here isn’t like Cutie Honey or Kekko Kamen. The closest parallel might be with Cinderella Kishi, but I’d have to read this series to say for certain. While this film honours Nagai’s works, like Devilman with its nudity and Violence Jack for the off the wall blood, at least the full-frontal bits of genitalia does not differ from what’s depicted on paper. They tend to appear as though they are victims after being kidnapped by aliens rather than put into sexual situations.

Continue reading “Wanting to Roar, Even Though Much of Lion-Girl is Simply a Mew”

When Worlds Collide in Heroes of the Golden Mask Proves to be a Headscratcher

Here’s hoping the animated take, Heroes of the Golden Maskm will inspire John Wilson to finish his book series that insired the film.

Heroes of the Golden Mask Movie PosterWhen the only people who can save Ancient China are the Heroes of the Golden Mask, and one of them has fallen, who else can the royal family turn to? Apparently, it’ll take bringing a Yankee to the Imperial Court to fill in the gap! Curiously, this world also needs the assistance of a Mayan warrior and a soldier from Atlantis too. The big question I had was to wonder why a film that’s set in this past would feature warriors from other cultures?

I’m sure Chinese producers were happy that a novel exists to explore how the masks discovered in Sanxingdui might have been used, but to toss in ideas taken from many Ancient Alien theories–including that all these past cultures communicated with one another–is mystery. Anyone who’s seen the exhibit might make this connection too. Maybe that’s what original author John Wilson penned when writing his book, The Ruined City (The Golden Mask Book 1, Amazon link). I haven’t read it, but after watching this film, I definitely want to pick up a copy.

Continue reading “When Worlds Collide in Heroes of the Golden Mask Proves to be a Headscratcher”

Kamen Rider Ryuki Roars to Blu-Ray Feb 7, 2023!

Kamen Rider Ryuki: The Complete SeriesShout! Factory, in collaboration with Toei Company Ltd., is proud to present a special collection, Kamen Rider Ryuki: The Complete Series on national home entertainment shelves on February 7, 2023. Available for the first time in North America, this long-awaited 8-Disc Blu-ray set contains all 50 episodes from the original Japanese masters and the film, Kamen Rider Ryuki: Episode Final: The Director’s Cut.

Kamen Rider Ryuki: The Complete Series is a must-have for loyal fans and pop culture collectors. Pre-order is available now at ShoutFactory.com. Fans who order the release will also receive a poster, while supplies last. Folks can also preorder this set on Amazon USA.

Originally premiering in 1971, the long-running Japanese television series Kamen Rider follows the exploits of a masked, motorcycle-riding hero who fights the forces of evil. The number one kids’ program in Japan for 50 years, Kamen Rider has proved to be beloved through multiple series iterations and generations of fans and Riders.

Continue reading “Kamen Rider Ryuki Roars to Blu-Ray Feb 7, 2023!”

Kamen Rider Kuuga Kicks It To Gear for a Fall North American Release

Kamen Rider Kuuga: The Complete Series is a must-have for loyal fans and pop-culture collectors.

Kamen Rider KuugaRelease Date:
September 20, 2022

In continued celebration of the landmark series’ 50th anniversary, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Toei Company Ltd., is proud to present a special Kamen Rider collection, Kamen Rider Kuuga: The Complete Series on national home entertainment shelves this Fall. Available for the first time in North America, this long-awaited 7-Disc Blu-ray set contains all 49 action-packed episodes from the original Japanese master and features separate subtitle tracks (Japanese only subtitle track and Japanese + Grongi language translation).

Kamen Rider Kuuga: The Complete Series is a must-have for loyal fans and pop-culture collectors.

This series is still available to stream online on Amazon Prime, or Shout! Factory. For fans who want the physical media, it’s now available to pre-order at ShoutFactory.com. Fans who order this title from Shout! Factory will also receive a poster, while supplies last.

Continue reading “Kamen Rider Kuuga Kicks It To Gear for a Fall North American Release”

Kamen Rider Zero-One is Set to Screech in Jan 25, 2022!

Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Toei Company, Ltd., is proud to present a stunning Kamen Rider collection, Kamen Rider Zero-One: The Complete Series with REALxTIME on national home entertainment shelves and digital January 25, 2022.

KamRid_BR_PS_300dpi.jpgShout! Factory
Toei Company 

Available to pre-order on Amazon USA
(Sales through here helps support this site, as we’re an affliiate member)

In a continued celebration of the landmark series’ 50th anniversary, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Toei Company, Ltd., is proud to present a stunning Kamen Rider collection, Kamen Rider Zero-One: The Complete Series with REALxTIME on national home entertainment shelves and digital January 25, 2022.

Available for the first time in North America, this long-awaited 8-Disc Blu-ray set contains all 46 original action-packed episodes, the movie REALxTIME which completes the narrative of the series, and five special episodes. A must-have for collectors and dedicated pop-culture fans, pre-order is available now at ShoutFactory.com. Fans who order this Blu-ray set direct from Shout! Factory will receive an exclusive poster, while supplies last.

Continue reading “Kamen Rider Zero-One is Set to Screech in Jan 25, 2022!”

%d bloggers like this: